Los Angeles Lakers The Team to Beat

I just can't stand this anymore—every team who has beaten the Lakers after Dec. 9 is all of a sudden “the team to beat.”

I've watched countless hours of Stephen Smith and Kenny Smith talk about New Orleans, San Antonio, and Orlando as teams that are the best in the league.

I have seen these three teams rise and fall from a top of the charts in the power rankings. The Lakers are still the team to beat this year, and they haven't been healthy all season long with their 32-8 record.

What really hurts this Lakers team at the moment are the injuries to Luke Walton and Jordan Farmar. Both of them don't put up big numbers, but when they both play the Lakers are at there best. They can spread the floor for Kobe Bryant to create open shots for his valuable teammates.

With a 32-8 record and another MVP on the shelf for Kobe by the end of the season, the only thing that could stop this team is a career ending injury to D.J. Mbenga.

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